BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2010
AGENDA NO. 18

PROPOSAL:

Legislative and Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights September 2010 outreach activities of Legislative and Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Outreach to Business and Federal, State, and Local Government.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Legislative and Public Affairs for September 2010. The report includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services, Communications Center, and Public Information Center); Business Assistance; and Outreach to Business and Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

Environmental Justice Update

The following are key environmental justice-related activities in which staff participated during September 2010. These events involved communities which suffer disproportionately from adverse air quality impacts.

• On September 2, staff met with the President of the Black Business Association (BBA) to discuss a presentation to BBA members from the health community on air quality and public health impacts of poor air quality.

• On September 7, staff met with representatives from the Los Angeles Metro Churches Council. The purpose of the meeting was to schedule a presentation to African-American pastors on the health impacts of poor air quality and how the AQMD can better educate and engage the community on air quality issues.

• On September 11, staff participated in the 25^th Senate District School Readiness & Health Fair in South Los Angeles. Approximately 500 people mostly from environmental justice communities attended. Staff provided information on the health impacts of poor air quality and promoted Clean Air Connections.

• On September 11, staff met with the President of the National Council of Negro Women, Southern California to introduce the organization to the AQMD and to discuss potential partnership opportunities.

• On September 15, AQMD, in partnership with Mission Ebenezer Family Church, hosted an Air Quality Institute briefing. The briefing was given in English and Spanish and educated parishioners on general air quality and the health impacts of poor air quality.

• On September 17, staff attended the Hispanic Chamber of Orange County meeting and made a general air quality presentation and discussed legislation that affects their membership.

• On September 17-19, staff participated in the Taste of Holy Spirit event in Fountain Valley. There was significant representation from the Vietnamese and Latino communities. Staff provided general air quality information and promoted Clean Air Connections.

• On September 23, staff attended the Black Chamber of Orange County Gala. Staff had a booth at the event and distributed air quality information and promoted Clean Air Connections.

• On September 25, staff hosted a booth at the Community Health Expo in Anaheim to provide health and air quality information to low-income minority residents.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of residents engage in valuable information exchanges through events and meetings that AQMD sponsors alone, or in partnership with others. Attendees typically receive the following information: tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects; invitations or notices of conferences, seminars, workshops and other public events, ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development; and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems. The events that AQMD staff attended and provided information and updates include:

Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services

AQMD receives requests for staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The requests come from organizations such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups, schools, hospitals and health-based organizations. AQMD also hosts visitors from around the world who meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues.

On September 10, staff provided a briefing and tour of AQMD’s facility and laboratory to the Bureau of Environmental Protection, Keelung City, Taiwan.  

On September 16, staff provided a presentation on Rule 1147 and permit processing to the California Auto Body Association, Pasadena Foothill Chapter at Brookside Country Club, Pasadena. 

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles calls on the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG^® line and Spanish line. Calls received in the month of September 2010 are summarized below:

*Saturday, Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Public Information Center Statistics

The Public Information Center (PIC) handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Information for the month of September 2010 is summarized below:

 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in the development of these rules.  AQMD also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly.  Additionally, staff provides personalized assistance to small businesses both over the telephone and by on-site consultation.  The information is summarized below.

• Conducted six free on-site consultation

• Provided assistance in filing one request for variance

• Provided permit application assistance to 227 companies

• Issued 19 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities: 

Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Buena Park, Burbank, Cerritos, Claremont, Coachella, Compton, Costa Mesa, Covina, Dana Point, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fountain Valley, Glendora, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, Lake Forest, La Palma, La Puente, La Quinta, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Orange, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Villa Park, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Westminster and Whittier.  

Visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:

Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups: 

• American Lung Association Air Quality Committee
• Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
• Annenberg School of Nursing
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Creation Sustainability Committee
• Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Beach Cities Health District
• Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Black Business Association
• Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County
• Brotherhood Crusade
• California Black Women’s Health Project
• California School Nurses Organization
• Carson Black Chamber of Commerce
• Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Charles Drew University
• Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
• Claremont Chamber of Commerce
• Coachella Valley Association of Governments
• Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
• Healthy African-American Families
• Independent Cities Association
• Inland Empire Asthma Coalition
• Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee
• Kids are 1st
• La Quinta Chamber of Commerce
• Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce
• Little Company of Mary
• Long Beach Memorial Hospital
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health SPA 8
• Los Angeles County Medical Association
• Los Angeles Jewish Home
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches
• Los Angeles Sparks
• Los Angeles World Airports
• Magic Johnson Foundation
• Metropolitan Water District
• Metro Interfaith Council
• Mobility 21
• National Council of Negro Women, Southern California
• Orange County Council of Governments
• Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Orange/Tustin Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee
• Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
• Port of Long Beach
• Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital
• Redondo Beach Senior and Family Services
• Redondo Beach Roundtable
• Rim of the World Unified School District
• Saddleback Unified School District
• Saints Peter and Paul School, Wilmington
• San Fernando Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
• Santa Ana Unified School District
• Santa Clarita High School
• South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce
• South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
• Southern California Gas Company
• Torrance Memorial Medical Center
• United Nurses Association of California
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Upland Chamber of Commerce
• Warner Bros. Entertainment
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• West San Gabriel Valley Health Council